be at work

USAGE SUMMARY

"be at work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone being in the workplace for the purpose of completing their job. For example: John was supposed to be at work by 9am, but he was running late.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But something more may be at work.

The New Yorker

"He would always be at work".

The New York Times - Sports

Other factors may be at work.

The New York Times

Additional factors seem to be at work.

The Economist

Several factors may be at work.

The Economist

Creative accounting may be at work.

The Economist

Biology could also be at work.

The New York Times

Two factors may be at work.

The Economist

"You shouldn't be at work," it read.

The New York Times

Come Monday, I'll be at work, sweltering.

The New York Times

Political forces may also be at work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be at work", ensure the context clearly indicates the location is the primary workplace or job site. Avoid using it in ambiguous situations where 'work' could refer to a task or activity performed elsewhere.

Common error

Avoid using "be at work" when you mean someone is working on something from home or another location. Instead, use phrases like "working from home" or "busy with work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be at work" functions primarily as a stative verb phrase, indicating the state of being present at one's place of employment. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's confirmation of its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be at work" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate someone's presence at their workplace. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the numerous examples show its versatility across different contexts. While "be at work" is generally appropriate, it's important to ensure the context accurately reflects the physical location and intended meaning, avoiding confusion with working remotely or on specific tasks. Remember to consider related phrases like "be employed" or "be on duty" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be working

A more general term referring to the activity of performing job-related tasks, without specifying the location.

be on the job

Emphasizes the active engagement in performing work tasks or responsibilities.

be at one's job

Focuses on the person's location relative to their specific job, adding a personal possessive.

be employed

Focuses on the state of having a job, emphasizing the employment status rather than the physical location.

be on duty

Highlights the obligation or scheduled time to perform work-related tasks, often used in specific professions.

be busy with work

Indicates a state of being actively involved and engaged in work-related activities.

be in the office

Specifies a typical workplace environment, suggesting a more formal setting.

be occupied with work

Stresses the engagement and focus on work-related tasks, implying busyness.

be in service

Highlights the act of providing a service as part of a job, typically used in professions like customer service.

be at one's post

Indicates being present and ready at a designated location or duty station, often used in military or security contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "be at work" in a sentence?

You can use "be at work" to indicate someone's presence at their job. For example, "I need to "be at work" by 9 a.m." or "He will "be at work" tomorrow."

What's a more formal way to say "be at work"?

In formal contexts, you might use "be on duty" or "be employed" depending on the intended meaning. These options provide a more professional tone.

What does it mean when someone says, "Something may be at work"?

In this context, ""be at work"" means that certain factors or influences are in operation or having an effect. It suggests unseen forces are contributing to a particular outcome.

Which is correct, "be at work" or "be at working"?

"Be at work" is correct. "Be at working" is grammatically incorrect. The phrase "be at work" indicates location, whereas "working" is a verb form.